Lotus Pattern - Ocean

Telehealth appointments are available.


To keep you safe during the pandemic, cancer genetic counseling & testing offers in-person and telehealth visits.

Telehealth appointments are offered seven days a week, with the option for evening appointments.


856-247-7373

Cancer Genetic Counseling & Testing

Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk – Virtua

The Chance for Insight

Your genes play an important part in determining who you are, from your eye and hair color to a medical condition you may develop.

Knowing if you are at higher genetic risk for certain types of cancers can give you a valuable head start in fighting cancer before it starts – in large part because you are informed and on the lookout.

About 5 to 10% of cancers are passed down from generation to generation (most cancers are the result of your lifestyle, environment, or age), but if you or your family members have been diagnosed with colon, breast, ovarian, uterine, or pancreatic cancer, you could be at increased risk for developing these cancers. At Virtua, genetic counseling is available to help clarify your risk.

By undergoing a blood or saliva test and completing your personal cancer risk assessment with our cancer genetics program, we will help you make informed health decisions for yourself and your family.

Getting Started with Genetic Counseling

Once you have scheduled your appointment, the next step in the process begins by completing personal and family medical history questionnaire. During your appointment your genetic counselor will review your questionnaire and determine if you meet criteria for genetic testing. Next, your counselor will discuss the discuss benefits, risks, and limitations of testing and collect a blood or saliva sample. Finally, once your genetic test results are available, your counselor will contact you to discuss the results and recommendations for next steps.

By undergoing genetic counseling, you will:
  • Discover if you have an increased genetic risk for cancer
  • Receive personal, comprehensive counseling from cancer genetics experts including medical oncologists trained in cancer genetics, advanced practice nurses, board-certified genetic counselors, and social workers
  • Learn what you can do to decrease your risk for developing cancer (screening and medical or surgical options)
  • Receive information regarding clinical trials or research studies, if eligible

Breast and ovarian cancer syndromes

Genetic tests are available for hereditary breast cancer. Among them are the most common hereditary breast cancer syndromes involving the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

When genetic testing is complete and a mutation is found in one of the identified genes, your risk for developing certain types of cancer is significantly increased. For women, that means a higher risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. For men, it is an increased risk for breast and prostate cancer. In addition, men and women who have already been diagnosed with these cancers are at increased risk for developing a second cancer. This makes genetic testing for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer extremely important for those previously diagnosed.
 

Colorectal cancer syndromes

Genetic tests are available for hereditary colon cancer. Common inherited cancer syndromes include Lynch Syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, or HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Lynch Syndrome increases your risk for colon, uterine, ovarian, and other cancers. FAP causes you to have hundreds of colon polyps and significantly increases your risk for colon cancer.

Genetic testing also is available for other gastrointestinal hereditary cancer syndromes.

Take the next step to know if you are at increased risk for cancer. Call 856-247-7373 to make an appointment and start your personal assessment.

Locations

voorhess health and fitness center

Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program - Voorhees

200 Bowman Drive
Voorhees, NJ 08043

Phone: 856-247-7330

Virtua Samson Cancer Center - Moorestown

Virtua Samson Cancer Center - Moorestown

350 Young Avenue (in the Moorestown Commons Shopping Center)
Moorestown, NJ 08057

Phone: 856-247-7330

Directions for genetic testing appointments

 

Voorhees
Park in lot “E.” Outpatient registration is on the second floor, Suite E250. Once registered, proceed to Suite D290 for your appointment. If you’re going to be late or are lost, call (856) 247-7373 .

 

Moorestown
Outpatient registration is at the Samson Center entrance. Once registered, proceed to Suite 300 for your appointment. If you’re going to be late or are lost, call (856) 206-4713.

forms

new patient forms

After making an appointment for genetic counseling, please fill out the new patient forms for the specific location: Voorhees or Moorestown.

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